Living in Huntsville, AL
Huntsville is the 100th-largest city in the US, home to about 234,000 people in 2025. It is growing fast: up 8.7% since 2020. Prices across the metro area run below the national average (93.1 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 233,627+8.7% since 2020
- Median home value
- $293,6003.9 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,171/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $74,714median, per year
- Price level
- 93.1US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 52° / 92°lows 33° / 71°
- Average commute
- 20 min15% work from home
- State income tax
- 5%top rate, graduated
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County: Madison County, Limestone County
Time zone: Central Time (UTC-6, UTC-5 in summer)
Elevation: about 633 ft
Metro area: Huntsville, AL
Cost of living in Huntsville
The median home in Huntsville is worth $293,600 and the median household earns $74,714 a year, so a typical home costs about 3.9 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,171 a month, about 19% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Huntsville, AL metro area at 93.1, with housing at 77.9 and goods at 96.4 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $69,800 here. Alabama taxes wages at a top rate of 5%. The average combined state and local sales tax in Alabama is 9.46%.
What would my salary be worth in Huntsville?
Huntsville weather
Average highs run from 52°F in January to 92°F in July, and January nights average 33°F. It gets 54 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 2 inches of snow. Expect about 62 days a year at 90°F or hotter. The most comfortable months are October.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Huntsville
People and work
The median resident is 36.9 years old, and 47% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 58% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 20 minutes; 15% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 36.9297th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 47%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 58%of households
- People per sq mile
- 1,037225.2 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 0%1% walk, 0% bike
- Unemployment
- 4.1%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 12.6%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1985median year
Who moves to Huntsville, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Montgomery (Montgomery County), Tuscaloosa (Tuscaloosa County) and Mobile (Mobile County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Baldwin County, AL, Shelby County, AL and Mobile (Mobile County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively High
FEMA rating for Madison County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: lightning, tornado, inland flooding, winter weather.
Home prices
+3.3% in a year
Up 43% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Huntsville, AL area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
72% good days
0 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Huntsville, AL area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Huntsville
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Alabama A & M University 3 miles
- Athens State University 23 miles
- Oakwood University 5 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Huntsville
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Huntsville International Airport HSV | 14 mi | 804,665 |
| Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport CHA | 80 mi | 557,741 |
| Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport BHM | 82 mi | 1,596,510 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Huntsville
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | 5 mi | 6,591 | $22,758 | 62% |
| Alabama A & M University | 3 mi | 6,124 | $18,255 | 28% |
| Athens State University | 23 mi | 2,446 | n/a | n/a |
| Oakwood University | 5 mi | 1,153 | $26,827 | 47% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Huntsville
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before March 24, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around October 30 and the first frost comes around November 8.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Huntsville Intl. Airport, AL, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Huntsville.
Wildfire smoke in Huntsville
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Huntsville on about 137 days a year, including about 20 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Huntsville
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 95,310 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Huntsville
Downtown Huntsville is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huntsville City School District | Pre-K to 12 | 24,222 | 46 | 17.8 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Madison County School District (20,691 students), Madison City School District (13,046 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Huntsville's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Huntsville's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Columbia, SC84% matchCompare
- Little Rock, AR80% matchCompare
- Gastonia, NC80% matchCompare
- Greenville, NC78% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Huntsville
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Pros and cons of living in Huntsville
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Everyday prices in the metro run 7% below the US average (BEA).
- Data Commutes are short: 20 minutes each way on average.
- Data The city is growing fast (+8.7% since 2020), a sign of jobs and new housing.
Cons
- Data Sales tax is high: 9.46% on average with local taxes.
Huntsville report card from locals
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Cities near Huntsville
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TN | 74 mi | 194,144 | $283,200 | 91.5 | Compare |
| Murfreesboro, TN | 77 mi | 171,178 | $402,100 | 96.3 | Compare |
| Franklin, TN | 84 mi | 90,226 | $705,400 | 96.3 | Compare |
| Birmingham, AL | 85 mi | 195,893 | $158,800 | 91.6 | Compare |
| Hoover, AL | 95 mi | 93,550 | $412,200 | 91.6 | Compare |
| Nashville, TN | 101 mi | 721,074 | $413,600 | 96.3 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Huntsville with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Huntsville a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show prices below the national average, homes that cost under four years of median income, a growing population, short commutes. Compare Huntsville side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Huntsville?
The Census Bureau estimates Huntsville had 233,627 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 214,989 in April 2020 (+8.7%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Huntsville?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $69,800 in the Huntsville area. The median household here earns $74,714.
When is the best time to visit Huntsville?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, October are the most comfortable months. July averages 92°F and January 52°F for daytime highs.
What county is Huntsville in?
Most of Huntsville (82% of its land) is in Madison County. Smaller parts lie in Limestone County. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Huntsville in?
Huntsville is on Central Time (UTC-6, or UTC-5 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Huntsville?
About 633 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Alabama have a state income tax?
Yes. Alabama has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 5% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Huntsville. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Huntsville, AL metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Huntsville Intl. Airport, AL station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.